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Nugg Love Round Table: Denver’s Priority in Free Agency

By Mathew Huff

Mar 22, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) with the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) with the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Juancho Hernangomez (41) and guard Jameer Nelson (1) defend against Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Juancho Hernangomez (41) and guard Jameer Nelson (1) defend against Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan’s free agent option

This is where things get tough because whoever the Nuggets decide to go after will ultimately decide the direction they want to go.

It’s been an argument for quite some time now, “Should the Nuggets go young or old?” You can make a strong case for either side, but I think Denver goes young. They’ve not only played significantly better, but looked much more fun when playing through their youth.

So, what do they do? Well, Danilo Gallinari could very well be a free agent this Summer (I can’t blame him… go get that money, Gallo) and it may be in the Nuggets’ best interest to let him walk.

That would effectively open up a spot at the small forward position. So, I recommend they go after Otto Porter Jr. He’s likely to play very well alongside Nikola Jokic ( but honestly, who doesn’t), and he’d open the floor enough for Emmanuel Mudiay to drive inside, simply because he’s a more consistent shooter than Gallinari is. Not only that, but his age fits significantly better with the Nuggets’ young core going forward.

It definitely won’t be easy though. Porter will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Wizards have the rights to match any contract he’s offered. Then, there’s also that Nuggets are very likely to get into a bidding war with a few other teams who have their sights set on Porter, namely the Brooklyn Nets.

Even still, it looks to be in Denver’s best interest to target Otto Porter this Summer because he looks like a perfect fit with this roster going forward.

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